Chapter 7: Visiting
As Yan Jingyu recounted how she had arranged for someone to drug Yan Jingshu’s hangover soup and lure people to his room, Xie Shi remained expressionless, wearing a faint smile as she calmly watched her, as if Yan Jingyu were merely discussing something trivial.
This gradually put Yan Jingyu at ease, and her tone shifted from initial nervousness to outright self-righteousness. By the end, she even said indignantly, “It’s Second Brother’s own fault—not only has he always angered you since childhood, but he also knew how I felt about Brother Tingyuan… yet he still seduced him. I couldn’t bear it, so I—”
“Enough!” Xie Shi had listened quietly without reaction until this point, when she finally frowned slightly and interrupted, feigning anger. “You, an unmarried young lady, casually throwing around words like ‘seduce’ and ‘Brother Tingyuan’—what would people think if they heard?”
“I’m sorry, Mother. I understand. I won’t speak carelessly again.” Sensing her mother wasn’t truly angry, Yan Jingyu stuck out her tongue and leaned closer to Xie Shi, obediently admitting her mistake before asking, “Then what about Second Brother?”
Xie Shi sighed. She could never truly stay angry with this daughter she had doted on since childhood and who had always been her pride. Besides, this wasn’t a major issue. However, her daughter was still young and inexperienced, some of her arrangements lacked thoroughness and could easily leave traces.
After a moment’s thought, Xie Shi asked again, “Aside from Biyun, Qiulan, and Li Wang, no one else knows about this?”
“No,” Yan Jingyu confirmed. “I knew this couldn’t involve too many people, so only those three were aware.”
Xie Shi nodded, then frowned slightly and adopted a stern expression. “Remember, from now on, you know nothing about what happened to your Second Brother. You only heard from your father that he fell ill. Even if your servants overheard something, no one told you. Understood?” Since her husband wanted to keep them in the dark, they would act as if they truly knew nothing.
“I understand,” Yan Jingyu quickly replied. Even without her mother’s reminder, she knew this much.
Xie Shi nodded again before continuing, “Biyun is no longer young. She’s served you faithfully for many years. I plan to release her in a few days so she can reunite with her family.”
“Mother!” Yan Jingyu was shocked. Biyun had served her since childhood and was her most trusted maid, that was why she had entrusted her with this task. She had even planned to take Biyun with her when she married in the future…
“Mother, Biyun…” Yan Jingyu tried to plead, but Xie Shi stood before she could finish. “This matter is not up for discussion. My decision is final. Now, come with me to visit your Second Brother.”
If they hadn’t known, it would have been one thing. But now that they did, as his mother, she had to pay him a visit—and Yan Jingyu would naturally accompany her.
When the mother and daughter arrived at Yan Jingshu’s Mingxuan Courtyard, the Duke of Anguo was already there, having informed the Dowager Lady Yan. Accompanying him was Dowager Lady Yan’s attendant, An Momo, who had come to check on Yan Jingshu on her behalf.
[嬷嬷 (mómo): an older female servant, nanny, or maid working in wealthy households, particularly in noble or imperial families]
“…As long as Second Young Master is fine, this old servant can report back to the Dowager Lady and set her mind at ease,” said An Momo, a plump, fair-faced woman in her fifties with a kindly smile.
“Thank you, An Momo. Tomorrow, I’ll personally visit Grandmother to reassure her,” Yan Jingshu replied, leaning against the headboard with slightly improved spirits, smiling at An Momo.
The Duke of Anguo, standing nearby, seemed about to say something when Xie Shi and Yan Jingyu arrived.
“Madam and Third Young Lady are here,” An Momo, the first to notice them, quickly stood and bowed.
Though An Momo was merely a servant, she had watched the Duke of Anguo grow up and was Dowager Lady Yan’s confidante. Even the Duke and his wife dared not slight her, so Xie Shi hurried forward to help her up.
“Mother, Younger Sister.” Yan Jingshu’s smile remained unchanged, but a cold glint flashed in his eyes as he looked at Xie Shi and Yan Jingyu.
“Second Brother, are you feeling better?” Yan Jingyu asked with concern. Had Yan Jingshu not known her true nature, he might have still treated her like a beloved younger sister.
“Much better. Thank you for your concern,” Yan Jingshu replied with a slight nod and a smile.
“That’s good.” Yan Jingyu immediately smiled in relief.
“I’m glad you’re better. Seeing you well puts my mind at ease,” Xie Shi said, sitting by the bed and gazing at Yan Jingshu with gentle concern. “In the future, take better care of yourself and avoid falling ill again.”
“Yes, I’ll remember. Thank you, Mother—cough” Before he could finish, Yan Jingshu covered his mouth and coughed lightly.
“Enough, don’t speak. Rest properly until you’ve fully recovered,” the Duke of Anguo interjected, rising to stop him from continuing. “We’ll leave you to rest. Your mother, Yu’er, and I will visit again tomorrow.”
“Indeed. We won’t disturb you further,” Xie Shi said. She didn’t care about Yan Jingshu, this visit was merely for the Duke’s benefit. Now that he was leaving, she had no reason to stay.
Yan Jingyu naturally followed her mother.
“I’d like to sleep. You may leave as well.” After they departed, Yan Jingshu dismissed the attending maid. Yet instead of sleeping, he closed his eyes and sank into deep thought.
Having been reborn and gained the upper hand, exposing his mother and sister’s true nature and protecting his grandmother from poisoning would not be difficult. But how could he convince his father and grandmother to approve his marriage to Jiang Chenghan?
He knew they were reluctant to let him marry, especially to someone far away. He didn’t want to sadden them, but considering his three-year marriage with Jiang Chenghan in his past life, and the many times Jiang Chenghan had saved him, he couldn’t stand by and let Jiang Chenghan die again as he had before.
The problem was, in his past life, he had been useless—he never found Jiang Chenghan’s killer. Soon, Jiang Chenghan would return to the northern border with his superior, General Kou. By then, Yan Jingshu would be stuck in the capital, powerless to intervene.
Unless they married, he could rightfully stay by Jiang Chenghan’s side, accompany him to the north, and use the scant clues from his past life to track down the killer.
But his grandmother and father… After much deliberation, Yan Jingshu made a decision. It might be reckless, but it was the only plan he could think of.
With this weight off his mind, exhaustion swept over him like a tide. Yan Jingshu could no longer resist, and his eyes closed as he fell into a deep sleep.
He slept dreamlessly through the night. The next morning, following the Duke’s orders, the maids did not wake him at the usual hour, moving quietly to avoid disturbing him. Combined with his physical and mental fatigue, Yan Jingshu slept until the sun was high before finally waking up.
“Has Steward Yan come yet?” Yan Jingshu asked his first maid, Chuntao, as a younger maid helped him wash up. Having rested overnight, he felt much better and could already get out of bed.
Chuntao replied, “Steward Yan came an hour ago. Seeing you were asleep, he left a message for this servant to relay.”
“Oh? What did he say?”
“Steward Yan said he has completed the tasks you assigned and asks you not to worry. The items you requested are also being prepared and will be delivered to you personally later.”
A faint smile curled Yan Jingshu’s lips. Everything was proceeding smoothly, his mother hadn't disappointed him. She couldn’t even wait a single night before trying to silence Li Wang and Qiulan. Fortunately, Steward Yan, acting on his orders, had rescued them and was likely interrogating them now.
“I see. Inform Steward Yan that I’ll be visiting Grandmother shortly and to deliver the items directly to her courtyard,” Yan Jingshu instructed.
“Yes.” Chuntao acknowledged but hesitated, looking troubled.
Noticing this, Yan Jingshu asked casually, “What is it?”
Chuntao wore a worried expression. “Young Master, Qiulan… Qiulan seems to have disappeared. I haven’t seen her since this morning, and no one knows where she is.”
Living in the same courtyard and serving the same master, Chuntao and Qiulan were close. Normally, if Qiulan were late or neglected her duties, Chuntao would cover for her. But today, Qiulan had vanished without a word, and combined with recent rumors, Chuntao felt uneasy.
Yan Jingshu, of course, knew where Qiulan was but wouldn’t tell Chuntao. He replied indifferently, “Perhaps she was called to help in the kitchen or elsewhere again.”
During the Dowager’s birthday celebration the previous day, the mansion had been crowded with guests, and manpower had been stretched thin. Most of his courtyard’s servants had been reassigned, leaving only the treacherous Qiulan behind—nearly costing him dearly.
Chuntao had already searched the entire estate. Only because she couldn’t find Qiulan did she dare mention it to Yan Jingshu. Seeing his lack of concern, she didn’t press further and withdrew to relay his orders to Steward Yan.
After eating, Yan Jingshu set out for Dowager Lady Yan’s Rong’an Courtyard. Though he felt much better, by the time he reached the gates, he was slightly out of breath.
The servants at Rong’an Courtyard hurried inside to announce his arrival. Soon, An Momo, who had visited him the day before, emerged with quick steps.
“Second Young Master, you’ve come at just the right time. The Dowager Lady was just speaking of you,” An Momo said cheerfully. Noticing his pallor, she personally helped him inside.
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